Businesses holding back on van investment after fifth monthly drop in registrations

Bumper April for electric van uptake

SMMT’s latest figures shows a mixed picture for the UK’s new light commercial vehicle market, which continued to face strong headwinds in April. It was the fifth consecutive month of decline in registrations, down -14.2% compared with the same month last year. April is typically a low volume month, so year-on-year fluctuations in volumes are more likely – and the timing of Easter this year certainly did not help. But the market’s current traject…

Five months of falling demand for new vans - FleetPoint

UK demand for new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) fell by -14.9% in April with 20,332 vans, 4x4s and pick-ups joining UK roads, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). It was the worst April performance since 2020, in part due to the timing of Easter, while it is also traditionally a low volume month and, therefore, subject to fluctuations.1 More concerningly, the decline marks t…

Electric van market share in the UK grows in April

Despite a continual drop in new registrations across the van sector as a whole in the UK, electric van appetite is bucking the trend. Last April, electric van registrations saw a 77.5% year-on-year increase compared to April 2024, displaying a clear increase in demand for electric vans from tradespeople and businesses. However, industry is still calling for further changes to van policy, to boost electric van adoption over the next decade. Elect…

Van sales fall for fifth consecutive month to five-year low

Registrations of new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) fell by -14.9% in April to 20,332 units, the fifth consecutive month of decline and a five-year low. The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT), which released the data, said it was the worst April performance since 2020. It attributed the low sales volumes to a late Easter and weak business confidence as businesses opted not to renew vehicles. April’s decline was led by -22.9% fewer…

Businesses holding back on van investment after fifth monthly drop in registrations

Weak business confidence is holding back fleet investment in new vans, after five months of decline, according to new data from the SMMT.

Economic uncertainty and tax changes hold back fleet investment

UK new LCV registrations fell sharply by 14.9% in April, marking the market’s weakest April since 2020.